Yesterday, in what may be the company's largest update ever, Apple released coordinated, major updates for almost all of its operating system and application software. Apple also launched its iCloud service, for use with Mac OS X, Windows, and iOS devices. However, the updates are not just for iCloud compatibility, but add major features and important bug fixes as well as security updates.

The magnitude of the update is reflected in the fact that Apple yesterday also posted over 100 new and updated technical articles about Lion, Lion Server, iOS, iPhone, iPad, iCloud, and Apple applications. More were being posted on Thursday.

Yesterday's updates from Apple include the following, all of which are free:

iTunes 10.5 for Mac OS X and Windows. This update is required to before the iOS 5 update can be installed, and is required for iTunes in iCloud. iTunes 10.5 also adds some features, including the ability to sync an iOS device with a Mac or PC over Wi-Fi.

Safari 5.1.1. For Lion only, this update includes over a dozen improvements and bug fixes, including those releated to "performance, stability, usability, compatibility, accessibility and security." Also enables iCloud to store Safari bookmarks and the Safari reading list. Safari 5.1.1 is included in the Lion 10.7.2 update.

iPhone Configuration Utility 3.4 for Windows and Mac OS X, which are used to create and track configuration profiles in enterprise environments.

Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac Run Windows applications without switching between Windows and Mac OS X! Best integration of Mac and Windows. Windows apps now work with Lion feaures, including Mission Control, Launch Pad, Resume, and all trackpad gestures. Supports Windows 7 Aero, with peformance even faster than before.

"Parallels Desktop 6 has so much better graphics support, and is so much faster in most of the comparisons, there's simply no contest"--MacTech Magazine